What is the NCIDQ Exam?

The NCIDQ Exam is a certification exam for professional interior designers, administered by the Council for Interior Design Qualification. It is a three-part exam covering all aspects of interior design practice.

What is NCIDQ Certification?

NCIDQ Certified Designers have completed a minimum of six years of specialized education and experience and passed a the NCIDQ exam.

What does the NCIDQ Exam cover?

The NCIDQ Exam consists of 3 parts.

When can I take the NCIDQ Exam?

You can apply to take the IDFX as soon as you complete you interior design degree from DISD. You do not need to have any work experience to take the IDFX.

You can apply to take the IDPX and Practicum after you have completed your degree, passed the IDFX, and worked 3,520 qualifying work experience hours. Up to half of these hours can be earned while you are a student; at least half must be earned after you complete your degree. Alternately, if you have completed your education AND all of your supervised work experience, you can apply for approval to take all three test sections at once.

How do I sign up to take the NCIDQ Exam?

First, you need to apply to take the exam. CIDQ will make sure that you have the appropriate education and work experience before approving your application.

When is the NCIDQ Exam offered?

The NCIDQ Exam is offered twice a year, in the spring (usually April) and the fall (usually October). You must apply AND have your application approved several months in advance: by January 15 for the spring exam, and by July 15 for the fall exam.

Where is the NCIDQ Exam offered?

The NCIDQ Exam is offered at locations throughout the United States.

How much does it cost to take the NCIDQ Exam?

The application fees range from $95 to $225, depending on which sections you are applying to take; these fees cover the cost of reviewing applications to ensure eligibility. The fees to take the exam range from $295 to $450, again depending on the section you are taking. There are additional fees for late registration, registration changes, and cancellations. Click here for complete details.

IIDA Associate Members in good standing may apply for financial assistance upon passing all three parts of the NCIDQ Exam. The NCIDQ Tuition Reimbursement Fund awards financial assistance of up to $1,096 to up to seven IIDA Members each year.

Where can I learn more?

On the CIDQ website for Students / Emerging Professionals and Educators.

What are CIDQ Ambassadors?

An Ambassador for the NCIDQ Exam is a practitioner, educator, or advocate who is committed to promoting the value of the NCIDQ Exam and NCIDQ Certification. An Ambassador can mentor potential exam takers and guide them through the process.

DISD alumna and former instructor Isabelle Odjaghian is one of three Ambassadors in the San Diego region.

Find an Ambassador in your area on the CIDQ website.

CIDQ provides a list of reference materials, including forms, codes, standards and books, that may be useful to you in studying for the NCIDQ exam. You should be familiar with project forms, contractual agreements and construction documents from AIA, ASID and IIDA, as well as common codes and standards.

The books listed here are those frequently used as references when developing multiple-choice questions for the IDFX and IDPX. All of them are available in the DISD Library.